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12-05-2024, 05:47 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 131
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Pulled a tow dolly empty
I bought a new tow dolly and pulled it empty with a small suv. Potholes on the interstate were hell. When I hit a hole or bump the dolly would come 6 inches off the ground and then whip the back of the car side to side. I had to slow down to 60 mph to feel safe. Is there something I can do to make it pull better? I have to pull it 500 miles empty with the same car next week and I’m dreading it.
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Rig: 1998 Newmar Dutch Star DP
Frame: Spartan
Engine: Cummins
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12-05-2024, 06:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 6,701
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You can reduce the tire air pressure and it will tow much better.
Master Tow has a warning on towing their dolly empty to reduce the tire pressure to 15psi.
Check for the recommendations for the exact model you are towing.
__________________
97 Monaco Windsor- Sold
07 Monaco Executive McKinley- Sold
04 Monaco Signature Chateau IV
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12-05-2024, 06:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Solo Rvers Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,813
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Strap some sandbags to both areas (wells) where the towed vehicles front tires go. Then double strep them. Slow down.
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2009 Monaco Camelot 42PDQ
2011 JK
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12-05-2024, 07:04 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 547
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Like Vito mentioned, just a little air pressure.
My EZE-TOW runs 90 psi when loaded but only 20 psi when empty. If you leave it at the high pressure, it will bounce like a super ball. I towed mine about 300 miles empty when I bought it. It did okay with only the 20 psi.
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2018 Windsport 29M - 2015 Ford Explorer AWD with NSA Ready Brute Elite
Retired electronics tech
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12-05-2024, 07:10 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 36,915
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Lower the tire pressure. Stehltow recommends 10 psi. I have towed mine like that.
Dolly's depend on the towed cars suspension to handle bumps and rebound, not the weight of the car.
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12-05-2024, 07:20 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vito.a
You can reduce the tire air pressure and it will tow much better.
Master Tow has a warning on towing their dolly empty to reduce the tire pressure to 15psi.
Check for the recommendations for the exact model you are towing.
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I should’ve thought of that. My Newmar had overinflated tires when I bought it. Lowering the pressure to factory recommendations made a huge difference.
__________________
Rig: 1998 Newmar Dutch Star DP
Frame: Spartan
Engine: Cummins
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12-05-2024, 11:01 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,159
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Just sold my Master Tow dolly. The instructions state 50psi while loaded, and 10psi when empty, otherwise it can be damaged from the extreme bouncing. A couple sand bags, or salt, as mentioned will help too.
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Bounder 36Y
2024 Chevy Equinox RS AWD
Roadmaster tow gear
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12-06-2024, 10:41 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 53
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Demo says 10psi when empty
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12-06-2024, 11:20 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,918
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If you add weight as well as dropping tire pressure, put it as far forward as possible. Check out this youtube vid.........
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand! 
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12-06-2024, 11:40 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist
If you add weight as well as dropping tire pressure, put it as far forward as possible. Check out this youtube vid.........
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Most all tow dollys have the tire pans pretty much centered over the axle.
That video applies trailers where you can place weight several feet behind the axle to upset the tongue weight
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Bounder 36Y
2024 Chevy Equinox RS AWD
Roadmaster tow gear
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12-06-2024, 02:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by US1
Most all tow dollys have the tire pans pretty much centered over the axle.
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Exactly, thats why it helps to add some weight towards the front. 10-15% of trailer weight should be on the hitch. 
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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12-06-2024, 03:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 36,915
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You don't need weight or a specific place to strap it down. I've towed my empty dolly twice at interstate speeds, with just lowering the tire pressure. It tracked perfictly and hardly bounced.
You start piling on weight and you will need to increase tire pressure or risk damaging your tires.
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12-06-2024, 05:08 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
You don't need weight or a specific place to strap it down. I've towed my empty dolly twice at interstate speeds, with just lowering the tire pressure. It tracked perfictly and hardly bounced.
You start piling on weight and you will need to increase tire pressure or risk damaging your tires.
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I messaged the manufacturer today about it and he said not to decrease tire pressure. I’m going to do it though because it jumped so bad on bumps I’m worried about the ball hitch.
__________________
Rig: 1998 Newmar Dutch Star DP
Frame: Spartan
Engine: Cummins
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12-08-2024, 07:47 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 131
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vito.a
You can reduce the tire air pressure and it will tow much better.
Master Tow has a warning on towing their dolly empty to reduce the tire pressure to 15psi.
Check for the recommendations for the exact model you are towing.
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The operators manual on the Master Tow website doesn’t mention any tires pressures and doesn’t say anything about airing down when towing unloaded. Where did you find that information? Is it on the dolly?
__________________
Rig: 1998 Newmar Dutch Star DP
Frame: Spartan
Engine: Cummins
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